May means warm weather finally finds its way back to us and spring fever is in full swing!Back to the barbecues, the boat, the golf course and the inevitable graduation season with parties galore. Next thing you know, Memorial Day will be upon us and we will be entering summer!

Don't forget to celebrate safely. Never, ever ... for any reason ... drink and drive. Let someone be your designated driver or call a cab.Be aware of how much alcohol you've had, what you have eaten, how your body metabolizes the alcohol and when you are under-the-influence.Keep an eye on the young people in your life and put their safety first, no matter the occasion.

We all love to have a good time.Make sure your good times are GREAT by taking everyone's safety into account so that these memories stay golden.

Happy May!

UPCOMING

TRAININGS

You, the D.E.R.

By: Jo McGuire

May 14, 2018

$75 per person

If you receive the drug & alcohol testing results for your company, you are required to know the responsibilities outlined in 49 CFR Part 40. We'll cover the rules, random selection, document retention and much more! Certificates of completion will be given for attending this course. (90 min)

Signs & Symptoms for Supervisors

By: Jo McGuire

May 15, 2018

$129 First Person / $89 Second Person

How do you determine whether a Reasonable Cause situation exists in the workplace? This training will not only make the parameters clear to you but will also discuss the latest trends in employee substance use, how to approach the employee, document the situation, drug testing protocols and what the expectations are for record-keeping. (120 min)

You, the D.E.R.

By: Jo McGuire

June 19, 2018

$75 per person

If you receive the drug & alcohol testing results for your company, you are required to know the responsibilities outlined in 49 CFR Part 40. We'll cover the rules, random selection, document retention and much more! Certificates of completion will be given for attending this course. (90 min)

I started putting this together to discuss the effects of opioids in the workplace.Then I started thinking "what workplace?Construction, retail, office, maybe driving a truck?"It's easy and graphic when thinking of operating equipment like tub grinders, or wood chippers, if you put your arm in the wrong place and you're not paying attention, it's going to pull you in.When that happens, maybe the person loses an arm, or maybe they just die.It's not a good place to be high. So, for the sake of this article, the workplace is anywhere you want it to be.Maybe even your own workplace.

Drug abuse in the workforce is an increasing challenge for American businesses. Although much attention has been paid to the opioid epidemic's role in keeping people off the job or out of work, over fifty percent of people who report misusing pain-relievers are currently on the job. No matter where the workplace is, these employees tend to show reduced productivity and in the worst of cases, they can be a danger to themselves, their co-workers and the public at-large.

Many employers either have adopted or claim to have adopted a zero-tolerance policy. In doing so, and in implementing a drug screening program the direct costs add up. The cost to the lab test, the cost of the employee being away from work to get tested.Additionally, companies waste money training workers who subsequently quit or are fired when they fail the drug test.

Then there are the added or indirect costs.For example, one benefits provider estimates that opioid abusers cost employers nearly twice as much in health-care expenses as their clean co-workers - a national average of an extra $8,600 a year.

According to the National Safety Council, 57 percent of employers say they perform drug tests, out of those, more than 40 percent don't screen for synthetic opioids like oxycodone which is among the most widely abused opioids, and one of the substances that new federal rules are targeting. Opioids killed about 33,000 Americans in 2015, more than any other year on record.

Hiring people who can pass a drug screen is becoming tougher. While the economy has steadily added jobs in the last few years, the available pool of workers hasn't kept pace. Drugs are probably at least partly to blame for that, too. There's a growing consensus among economists that opioid abuse has contributed to the shrinking workforce.

The National Safety Council survey found that 29 percent of employers reported impaired job performance due to prescription-painkiller use, while 15 percent cited an injury or near miss that they attributed to the drugs. Almost 70 percent said their workforce had been affected in some way.

As awareness grows, prescriptions of such painkillers has been leveling off, and deaths from prescription drugs are showing signs of stabilizing in some locales.

But in many cities and states, users are turning to heroin or illegal synthetics like fentanyl. Not only are those drugs more dangerous, they can also be difficult to catch. Heroin metabolizes very quickly and Fentanyl, not being in the standard drug panel, can be a costly drug screen.

Many employers are required by regulation to have a drug and alcohol testing program.However, every employer in every industry should give consideration to implementing a strong drug and alcohol testing program.When a drug and alcohol testing program is combined with a commitment to developing safety policies & procedures and safe work practices, the message sent to all employees and customers alike cannot be understated.Key elements to any drug and alcohol testing policies include reasonable cause and random testing programs.Many employers have implemented employee assistance programs for employees who self-disclose a problem.These employee assistance programs show the employee that they are valued by providing access to treatment in order for the employee to keep their job while learning positive life-skills to help them succeed.

TSS Inc is here to help!Whether your company needs a policy update, to implement different safety strategies or help with training in drug use awareness, we are a full-service provider that can serve you as you work to meet your safety goals.Let us know how we can help you do what YOU DO BEST!

D.O.T. & YOU

By Eric Bartholomew

Q&A from 49 CFR Part 40

§ 40.199 What problems always cause a drug test to be cancelled?

(a) As the MRO, when the laboratory discovers a "fatal flaw" during its processing of incoming specimens (see §40.83), the laboratory will report to you that the specimen has been "Rejected for Testing" (with the reason stated). You must always cancel such a test.

(b) The following are "fatal flaws":

(1) There is no printed collector's name and no collector's signature;

(2) The specimen ID numbers on the specimen bottle and the CCF do not match;

(3) The specimen bottle seal is broken or shows evidence of tampering (and a split specimen cannot be redesignated, see §40.83(g)); and

(4) Because of leakage or other causes, there is an insufficient amount of urine in the primary specimen bottle for analysis and the specimens cannot be re-designated (see §40.83(g)).

Each and every certified professional collector at TSS Inc takes great pride in carrying out our drug screening services 100% "by the book," each and every time. We are very aware of issues that can cause a D.O.T. or other lab-based drug test to be cancelled. A cancelled test can mean lost time and money for an employer and employee. We at TSS Inc pay great attention to detail, and make sure specimens heading to the testing lab are bottled and labeled correctly, and that all paperwork is "good to go!"

Drug and Alcohol Industry Members Form National Association

Press Conference

April 23, 2018 - 9:30am

National Press Club, 13th Floor (Zenger Room)

529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.- On Monday April 23, 2018 at 9:30 AM,members and leaders of the Nation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry will hold a press conference at The National Press Club in Washington D.C., to announce the formation of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA).

"With overwhelming support and encouragement from industry members, our Organization has formed to have a voice in events and discussions affecting employer rights, workplace safety, promote substance abuse prevention, healthy families and safe communities." stated Jo McGuire, the Association Chairwoman.

The goals of the Association are to enhance training and certification of drug and alcohol testing collectors, contribute as a stakeholder to the discussions regarding the opioid crisis and the legalization of marijuana use, advocate for an employer's right to conduct drug and alcohol testing, provide accurate information to the general public and improve communication and cooperation between all industry partners.

NDASA is established as a "member owned" 501c organization with an elected Board of Directors responsible for the implementation of the organization's strategic plan, membership representation and general oversight of staff and other operational matters.

Drug and alcohol testing is utilized by private and public employers, the US Department of Transportation, schools, individuals who are on court ordered probation and families wishing to test for personal reasons.

For more information or to join the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association, please contact Jo McGuire at 202-349-1695 or Chairman@NDASA.com or visit our website at www.NDASA.com

We offer world-class education and screening services for workplace and community safety.